Pack Camping - What Do I Need?

You guys ready for CAMPING?  Are you a little “camping-shy”? Don’t let it hold you back!! Do it for your son – he’ll love you for it!!

We've had a few families asking about what they need for Cub Scout camping.  First things first, all adults attending need to be Youth Protection Trained and all campers (adults/youth/siblings) need to have a completed BSA Health Form Part A and B on file with our Membership Chair, Alison Ford.

Cub Scout family camping is also referred to as "car camping." With a large enough vehicle, you're fortunate enough to be able to take just about everything AND the kitchen sink with you. But for the amount of time you'll be there, it's really not necessary. Though, a few creature comforts are definitely worth it!

So, unless you have an open-ended bank account, don't run out and buy every piece of gear you THINK you need at REI until you feel out what YOUR family requires. (If you do have an open-ended account however, I'll text you my list too.)

The best thing to do when starting to acquire gear is to start small and simple so that you can discover exactly what your family needs... and grow from there. There are plenty of seasoned camping veterans in our pack that have gear to spare so don't hesitate to put the word out if you need to borrow something.

To begin simply, you need something to sleep IN, something to sleep ON, somewhere to sit, something to wear, personal toiletries. light and water.

(Oh... and toilet paper! Don't forget the toilet paper!)

Today we're starting with something to sleep IN.

Puns make me laugh.  

The first thing you need to consider is how much space you NEED.  How many people, how much stuff. Are you tall? Do you need lots of leg room? All things to consider when determining size.

If you bring kids, you generally need more space so you might consider sizing up to accommodate all the stuff.  If you want to sleep on cots, you need to be sure you're taking into account the space they take up literally and figuratively.  If you want an air mattress inside your tent, be sure you have room for your belongings as well.

One perk of cots is that you can generally store gear underneath allowing for more space in the tent to move about. Do note, however, that if you plan to sleep on anything other than a sleeping mat, adding air between you and the ground means it can get really chilly if the temps drop. So be prepared with extra insulation between you and the cot or air mattress.

Do consider the bigger the tent, the more size it takes up in your vehicle and the more it weighs. Large tents that need to be heavily staked down may not be as conducive to allowing the Scouts the opportunity to help with set up.  We've had several families in the past who brought two SMALLER tents rather than one large one.  Since Cub Scout camping is "car camping" weight really shouldn't be an issue, however.

Once you've determined size, you'll need to determine what SHAPE of tent you want.  You can get dome tents or cabin tents.

Dome tents are generally lighter, easier to set up and are much more stable in high wind conditions.

Cabin tents, however, provide more vertical space (if you're tall this might be a consideration so be sure to check the peak height listed) Some even have "rooms" where you can zip off walls (to help separate siblings who won't quit poking each other not that I have any idea what that is like.)

This cabin tent even has a shaded vestibule which would be perfect for chairs.

One of the tents I have is pictured below -- a dome tent with a covered vestibule which provides a place to store shoes and our cooler under cover but out of the tent's interior. Notice the full rain fly -- in order to have full circulation this DOES have to be FULLY staked down to ensure the rain fly doesn't just lay on the tent body. When you sleep, condensation will build up and you need to have that outer layer off the inner layer to prevent the condensation raindrops from falling on your head. I prefer the full fly for weather protection and privacy.  In my experience, too, a full rainfly is desirable though when it's warmer, the airflow isn't as great - something to consider.  The smaller the tent, the warmer you will be in the cooler months, however.

My suggestion is to go where you can get inside and test them out... Cabelas or Bass Pro both have tents set up in the store that you can check out.  Seriously, get inside and lay down to see just how much space you actually have and then use those dimensions to help set a minimium allowance for what you want.

My only other suggestion for you to consider is to put SOME SORT of reflective SOMETHING on your guylines to prevent people from tripping over them in the dark. Accidents happen. Tent stakes through the leg are NO fun... we try to prevent the Scouts from running between tent lines but you know how well excited children listen. Reflective tape for your guylines - you want this!

This is going to be your home away from home. You want to be comfortable and to sleep as good as you can away from your Sleep Number Bed.

Another consideration is that once your Cub Scout transitions to Boy Scouts, usually the Troop will be providing his tent. If you want to come camping with the Troop, you'll want a SMALL tent since it will be just you and your gear. At that point, small is king!

Want a list?  Check out the Pack camping list HERE.

Hope these will give you something to consider when starting to build your camping gear!

Camping Do's and Don'ts

• Practice setting up your tent before you get on the camping trip. Make sure it is complete and you know how to put it up. Of course we will help you but you don’t want to get out there to realize you don’t have stakes or poles!
• Plan on it getting colder than you think – you can always take off a layer or remove a blanket. Put a sheet inside your sleeping bag it keeps it clean inside and will give you a layer of warmth or a layer of cool.
• Bring rain gear – you never know what the weather will be
• Change clothes to sleep in. (will keep you from getting cold due to moisture in the fabric from the day and you never know what you have on your clothes that you are bringing into your tent…poison ivy)
• Always have a tarp under your tent. Make sure none of it sticks-out from the bottom of the tent or it will collect rain and make the inside of your tent wet.
• Allow your son to do as much of the work while camping as possible (help putting up the tent, carrying stuff, etc). HE CAN DO IT!! And will be proud that he did it.
• Store food, candy, toothpaste in your car or animal proof container but NOT your tent. They can smell it!
• Maintain the buddy system & Youth Protection Training (YPT) at all times!

• Never sleep in a tent with a child who is not your own. – BSA rule
• No alcohol anywhere, anyhow, anytime. – BSA rule
• No smoking or tobacco products in sight of Cub Scouts. – BSA rule
• Never leave candy/chips or candy/chip wrappers or food of any kind in your tent or in your clothes in your tent. Animals can smell it. This includes toothpaste, open Gatorade and other soda cans, etc. If in doubt leave it in your car.
• Cub Scouts should not have/use knives in Tiger and Wolf ranks. Bears and higher ranks may only bring pocket knives if they have completed the “Whittling Chip” pocket knife achievement and have their Whittlin’ Chip card or badge on their person. No knives with a blade longer than the width of a child’s palm. – BSA rule.
• Avoid 100% cotton clothing…think wool or synthetics. Cotton stays damp and makes you feel cold.
• Leave behind the Nintendo DS, iPod, or other electronics/game systems. This is the boys’ opportunity to get away from all that. Besides, they could get damaged or lost. BSA insurance doesn't cover that!
• No precious toys/ jewelry – could get damaged or lost.

Camping

We are so excited to have 24 Scouts registered for our Fall Festival and Haunted Trail hike. It's going to be a GREAT time and we are SO excited to get the OUT back in scOUTing.

While we have already registered our Unit, if your plans change or you reconsider and join us, please reach out to April Driggers via Scoutbook and we will do our best to get you and your Scout added to our roster so they don't miss out on camping and the fall festival!

For those that registered, be watching your email for more specifics including directions, forms, communications for missing health forms, etc.

Camping - Deadline is Today!

Are you on the fence about our fall campout?  Don't be!  Camping is one of the best way to keep your Scouts EXCITED ABOUT CUB SCOUTS!  

Camping is one of the main reasons kids have so much fun in Cub Scouts!

Why is Camping Important to the Boy Scouts of America? 

In addition to the basics of survival and conservation, older Scouts instruct younger campers in the basics of wilderness training, plant science and perfecting a camp’s food storage plan. Essential skills are passed from generation to generation resulting in rewarding youth-led and adult-guided experiences. 

At the Cub Scout level, camping has become an integral part of the advancement path so that the youth are prepared for the adventures of Boy Scouts. Speaking of Boy Scouts, did you know that Boy Scouts can earn more than 136 merit badges, most of which involve outdoor experiences. Therefore, camping trips go a long way toward putting a Scout on the path toward Eagle. 

The typical American’s first camping trip occurs before he reaches 18 years old. The Physical Activity Council, an association of sports recreation and leisure activity companies, surveyed 10,778 Americans in early 2015. The survey asked 6 to 24-year-olds which of 104 activities they preferred. Respondents consistently choose camping and swimming.

Researchers discovered 28% of us did nothing last year! That’s right – 83 million are sedentary. Camping encourages us to be active and enjoy the outdoors resulting in three main benefits: 

First, improved physical health 

• We feel better – Oxygen emitted by plant life releases serotonin, a molecule essential to feelings of happiness and well-being. You can even lower blood pressure and body strain in the outdoors. 
• Clean air and water – Lower levels of pollutants result in fewer lung irritations and illnesses. 
• Greater physical fitness – Per hour calorie consumption increases for campers. Hikers burn 120-300 calories, fly fishers burn 200. Biking and swimming, gathering wood and building a temporary shelter results in healthy calorie burn and increased flexibility. 
• Sunlight – Moderate sun exposure increases Vitamin D – essential for healthy bones and teeth.
• Natural food – Fishing and hunting provides nourishment without preservatives. And camp food just tastes better! 

Second, greater mental health 

• Socialization – Improved mood from face-to-face interactions, teamwork and bonding without distractions. 
• More Sleep – After a full day of outdoor activities, the body achieves more natural sleep when the sun goes down. 
• Solving Problems – You can apply skills to overcome unexpected challenges and promote self-sufficiency by collaborating with your camping party. 
• Discovery – Learn about plant science and build trust from working with domesticated animals such as horses and dogs. Be prepared to prevent insect bites and predator intrusions. 
• Minding nature – The outdoors challenge you to minimize trash and leave your camping space cleaner than you found it. 

Third, camping is fun! 

As evidenced by posts on the Boy Scouts of America social media pages, people love to camp and comment on successful Scout camping expeditions. Check out the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting magazine, Boys’ Life or High-Adventure bases Facebook pages, Twitters and Instagrams. 

Because of this beautiful trifecta, we have upped the ante in our camping program agreeing to participate in more Council-sponsored events as well as our three Pack campouts to provide our Scouts every opportunity to experience Cub Scouts as it was intended -- OUTSIDE DOING! Won't you join us? The deadline for our October campout is TONIGHT!  

Register BELOW

Fall Campout - Registration Deadline is TOMORROW!

One of the things all boys look forward to in Cub Scouts is CAMPING and it's almost time! 

Make plans to join us for our fall Family Camp Out October 2-4. 

Are you a little “camping-shy”? Don’t let it hold you back!! Do it for your Scout– they’ll love you for it!! 

And, unless you have an open-ended bank account, don't run out and buy every piece of gear you think you need at REI (but if you just want to, please let me know and I'll give you my list, too!) 

The best thing to do when starting to acquire gear is to start small and simple so that you can discover what your family needs... grow from there. There are plenty of seasoned camping veterans in our pack that have gear to spare so don't hesitate to put the word out if you need to borrow something. 

To begin, you need something to sleep IN, something to sleep ON, something to wear, personal toiletries and light. (Oh... and toilet paper! Don't forget the toilet paper! That's definitely something you never want to not have and need.) 

Cub Scout family camping is also referred to as "car camping." With a large enough vehicle, you're fortunate enough to be able to take just about everything AND the kitchen sink with you. But for the amount of time you'll be there, it's really not necessary. Though, a few creature comforts are definitely worth it!

Camping is definitely one of the highlights of any Cub Scout's year. Campouts are fun occasions where we get to come together as a Unit and we all have a blast. We have food and fun -- what more can you ask for? 

Be sure to complete the registration form below by WEDNESDAY to ensure you are registered for this event!  Payment is due Wednesday as well. 

Keller Rocks!

We have a great opportunity that ROCKS... literally!  Join community members all over Keller to add some homemade art to make the trail... rock.  Click the image or link below for the full flyer.  

Click HERE for the link to view or download the full-sized flyer.  

If you participate, please contact our Community Service Chair, Kerianne Cully, so that she may track participants!  Be sure to share a photo of your Scout with his rock prior to turning it into the City of Keller.  This would be a GREAT den activity!  Spread some Cub Scout Pack 1910 pride all over the trail.  

Can you think of themes to include?  Camping.  Hiking. Leave no trace. S'mores. Lions. Tigers. Wolves. Bears. How about the Webelos plaid or an archery target!  The possibilities are ENDLESS!  

Does Scouting Work?

The really COOL thing is that while sports are seasonal, Scouting is YEAR ROUND so your son can take those positive attributes he garners from Scouting right into the sports he may also participate in.

Win/Win!

Cub Scouts Serve

One thing synonymous with Scouting is SERVICE.  Pack 1910 considers the dedication to our Unit, our Chartered Organization, and our community an integral part of membership.  Our goal is to provide opportunities all year long. 

We have started a new page on our website to highlight some of our service opportunities allowing our members to give back.  

If you know of a service opportunity for our Unit, please reach out to our Community Services Chair, Kerianne Cully.

CafeMom put it best when she said that "when kids feel connected to the larger community, they realize their actions -- even the small ones -- can make an impact."  

Community service provides youth with:

1) Awareness - opens their eyes beyond their bubble

2) Compassion - issues like hunger and pollution can see so remote but if those very ideas can be given a face by even volunteering at a shelter or planting in a community garden, the empathy factor increases.

3) Respect - for others and yourself.

4) Responsibility - We learn by doing that we are all responsible for the world we live in.

5) Gratitude - When kids see how others live (without the newest, latest and greatest), they can become increasingly grateful for what they already have.

6) Empowered - Knowing they can make a difference is magical.

Scouting Family Fun Fest 2

Family Fun Fest is just around the corner! Prepare for the excitement by completing the Adventure Log for a chance to win cool prizes, like Scout Shop gift cards, hammocks, backpacks, tents… and more!

Once you complete as many line items as you can, snap a picture and post on social with the hashtag #famfunfest to be entered to win. Increase your chance of winning by posting pictures of you accomplishing the various adventures with the hashtag #famfunfest!

This all takes place 10am CT on September 12. Join in on the fun!

There will also be a National Pinewood Derby that takes place at Texas Motor Speedway! Want to build a car for the event? Check out HERE to find out how.